Liquid Crystal Reflectarray for Tunable Beam Direction and Resonance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic wave reflectarrays have fixed antenna sizes, limiting the ability to adjust electromagnetic wave transceiving direction and resonance frequency, leading to inefficiencies in signal coverage and increased construction and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic wave reflectarray with adjustable electromagnetic wave transceiving direction and resonance frequency, utilizing a structure comprising substrates, wires, antenna electrodes, tuning electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer, where the effective dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer is controlled to adjust the radiation pattern and reflection efficiency of electromagnetic waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed antenna size is used in the reflectarray, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the electromagnetic wave transceiving direction cannot be adjusted according to the construction environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the antenna electrode sizes adjustable rather than fixed. By controlling the effective dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer through applied voltages, the resonant lengths of the antenna electrodes can be dynamically adjusted, enabling the reflectarray to adapt its electromagnetic wave transceiving direction according to different construction environments while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the effective dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer. By changing the dielectric constant parameter through voltage control, the resonant frequencies and lengths of the antenna electrodes are adjusted, which enables dynamic control of the electromagnetic wave transceiving direction without requiring physical reconfiguration of the antenna array structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna size is fixed, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the resonance frequency cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the liquid crystal layer's effective dielectric constant to enable resonance frequency adjustment. By applying different voltages to the liquid crystal layer, the effective dielectric constant varies, which directly adjusts the resonant frequency of the antenna electrodes. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving frequency adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining antenna electrodes with a liquid crystal layer. This composite material approach allows the antenna system to benefit from both the conductive properties of the electrode material and the tunable dielectric properties of the liquid crystal, enabling resonance frequency adjustment without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If base stations or boosters are deployed to increase signal coverage, then the signal coverage improves, but the construction and maintenance costs increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the effective dielectric constant parameter of the liquid crystal layer to optimize the reflectarray's signal reflection and coverage characteristics. By controlling the dielectric constant through voltage application, the system can enhance signal coverage in different directions and environments, providing an alternative to deploying additional base stations or boosters, thereby reducing construction and maintenance costs while maintaining or improving signal reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables dynamic adjustment of electromagnetic wave transceiving direction and resonance frequency, enhancing signal coverage and reducing the need for costly infrastructure adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
By adjusting an effective dielectric constant distribution of the liquid crystal layer, radiation patterns or reflection efficiencies of electromagnetic waves may be changed
Implementation Method 2
The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each of the plurality of first wires has multiple first resistors located between the multiple antenna electrodes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is an electromagnetic wave reflectarray (10), including a first substrate (SUB1), a second substrate (SUB2), first wires (WR1) and second wires (WR2) respectively arranged on the first substrate (SUB1) and the second substrate (SUB2) along a first direction (Dl) and a second direction (D2), antenna electrodes (110) and tuning electrodes (120) respectively arranged into first electrode strings (110S) and second electrode strings (120S) electrically connected to the first wires (WR1) and the second wires (WR2) on the first substrate (SUB1) and the second substrate (SUB2) along the first direction (D1), and a liquid crystal layer (LCL) disposed between the first substrate (SUB1) and the second substrate (SUB2). The tuning electrodes (120) completely cover the orthographic projections of the antenna electrodes (110) on the second substrate (SUB2).